An Atlantic Coast Adventure - GB Motorhome Tours

An Atlantic Coast Adventure
                                   13th June to 4th July 2019

         A Premium tour along the French Atlantic coast from Bénodet to Arcachon

Join us on this 21-day tour, the itinerary of which has been carefully planned to indulge guests. You will be
introduced to some of the most beautiful areas of France’s Atlantic Coast whilst enjoying a balanced mix of
organised excursions, free time and social events of lunches, dinners and get-togethers.

Our Atlantic Adventure begins in the charming seaside town of Benodet in Southern Brittany. Situated at
the mouth of the Odet, one of the most beautiful rivers in France, the town is famed for its beautiful
beaches and cuisine and the nearby ‘Îles de Glénan’, an archipelago of islands located approximately 10
miles off the coast.

Leaving Benodet we head south along the coast to the city of Nantes. Located on the Loire River, Nantes
has a long history as a port and there is time for you to visit many of its attractions. From Nantes, we
continue our journey south to the famous and unique ‘Puy du Fou’ entertainment park – prepare to be
amazed at what is on offer here. Continuing along the coast our next destination is to the beautiful Île de
Re’, famous for its pine forest, dunes and pretty harbour villages. As well as its many attractions the island
offers fantastic cycling and walking opportunities.

Our next visit is to the Côte Sauvage, I’Île d’Oléron and Marennes Basin regions. The whole area being
famous for both its Oysters and the regional French aperitif Pineau des Charentes, why not try some. For
the final destination of our adventure we arrive in the Bay of Arcachon. ‘Le Bassin’ as it is affectionately
known locally, covers an area of 150 km² and is a place of extraordinary beauty renowned for its seafood
and wildlife and the Dune du Pyla - at 500m wide, 3km long and 107m high it is the tallest sand dune in
Europe, offering amazing views across the whole of the Bay of Arcachon.

‘An excellent tour with many points of interest. For us the highlight of the tour was the Puy du Fou and the
evening performance of “La Cinéscénie’ the biggest light-show in the world - it was stunning and the
memories of this will stay with us forever.’ - Mike and Penny Summers – An Atlantic Coast Adventure -
June/July 2018

‘Thank you Chris and Alan for another fantastic trip, we enjoyed it very much, everything efficiently
organised as usual. The highlight of this tour was the Puy du Fou - Brilliant Show. We look forward to
travelling with GB Motorhome Tours again soon.’ Mike & Lavinia George – An Atlantic Coast Adventure -
June/July 2018

‘A truly excellent mixture of tours, excursions and free time with some superb meals, introducing us to
the local cuisine. Well done Chris and Alan for an excellent tour.’ Elizabeth and Mike Austen – An Atlantic
Coast Adventure - June/July 2018

21 Nights

Day One – Thursday 13th June
Arrive in the charming seaside resort of Benodet in Southern Brittany for the start of the tour. Your well-
equipped campsite is located close to both the town centre and the beach. This evening the Tour Directors
will host a Welcome Reception at their pitch.
Day Two – Friday 14th June
This morning we will take a tour of the town on the Little Tourist Train. This will enable you to orientate
yourself and ensure that you make the most of your free time throughout the rest of the day. This evening
we will all meet for dinner in a local beach-side restaurant.
Day Three – Saturday 15th June
No need for an early start this morning. Later we will take a gentle stroll to the port where we will board
our boat for a relaxing “Croisière Gourmande” (Gourmet Lunch Cruise) along the stunning Odet river which
is renowned for its flora and fauna.
Day Four – Sunday 16th June
Free day - Now that you have had the chance to get to know your surroundings you may wish to take the
‘P’tit Bac’, little ferry boat across the Odet to the charming fishing port of Sainte Marine where you will be
able to immerse yourself in the History of the village. As an alternative you could take a cruise on a Glass
Bottomed Boat out to the Glenan Islands -the options are numerous.
Day Five – Monday 17th June
Today we travel south along the Atlantic Coast to Nantes. En route to Nantes you will have the opportunity
to visit Carnac with its famous “Standing Stones”. With over 3,000 prehistoric stones it is the largest
collection of “Megalithic” standing stones in the world. Our campsite in Nantes has excellent facilities and
is located adjacent to the tram line which affords easy travel to and around the city. This evening we will all
meet at the Tour Directors pitch for a briefing and overview of what there is to do in Nantes. 142 miles
Day Six – Tuesday 18th June
Free Time Today. You will be issued with a 48 hour “Nantes Travel Pass” which entitles you to unlimited
use of the public transport system (trams, buses, tour bus, little train) to explore this fascinating city. For
those interested the tour directors will lead a group into town this morning – this will familiarise you with
the use of the transport system and the layout of the city. In addition to the public transport you could
follow the Green Line walking trail and discover a city of beauty and interest.

Day Seven – Wednesday 19th June
Free Day. Use your Travel Pass to explore more of the city and its attractions. Visit the “Les Machines De
L’Île” and take a ride on the enormous “Mechanical Elephant” before exploring other exhibitions. This
afternoon you could take a river trip, with the ticket for this included in your travel pass there is no cost to
you.
Day Eight – Thursday 20th June
This morning our destination is the famous “Puy du Fou”: a rural theme park without any rides. Started in
1978 as an open-air amateur dramatics night, it has developed into one of France’s biggest success stories
and it is the second most-visited park after Disneyland Paris. We will spend the next two nights perfectly
located to enjoy the park from its own Camping Aire, where facilities will be limited to toilets and waste
disposal. You will be issued with a 48-hour pass for the park and this afternoon and evening you will be
free to take in as many shows as possible. 39 miles
Day Nine – Friday 21st June
Return to the park today in your own time and enjoy more of the spectacular events. We will meet this
evening for dinner in one of the parks restaurants before making our way to the final show of the evening
“LA CINÉSCÉNIE’, billed as being the biggest light show in the world. After a long day it is just a short walk
back to our vans for a good night’s sleep.

Day Ten – Saturday 22nd June
Not far to travel today as we make our way to the “île de Ré” where we will stay for three nights. This
evening no need to cook as we enjoy a group meal in the campsite restaurant. 76 miles

Day Eleven – Sunday 23rd June
A Free Day which we start with a leisurely continental Group Breakfast of French bread, Croissants and
Coffee at the Tour Directors pitch. After breakfast, you will be free to explore the local area or just relax
around the campsite – it is Sunday after all.
Day Twelve – Monday 24th June
Our Free Day today will enable you to relax in the campsite pool, sauna or the ocean, alternatively you
could hire a bike or Segway. Additionally, La Rochelle can be visited using public transport or you may
choose to visit the local town of Saint-Martin-de Re, famous for its “Anes en Culotte” (Donkeys in Pyjamas).
Day Thirteen – Tuesday 25th June
Leaving the “île de Ré” this morning we continue our journey south along the coast to the “Côte Sauvage”
area and our campsite located on the outskirts of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer. The journey today is quite short so
you will have good time to stop off at some of the many interesting places on route - the area is famous for
its Oyster Beds. This evening we will meet for a group dinner in the campsite restaurant. 59 miles
Day Fourteen – Wednesday 26th June
Today we will have an excursion by coach to the Ile D’Oleron with its many Oyster beds. We will visit a
Chocolate Producer before having lunch in a local restaurant.
Day Fifteen – Thursday 27th June
We have a Free Day today. You could relax on-site and spend some time in the excellent swimming pool,
take a walk through the nearby marshes or stroll through the forest to arrive at the beach – the
possibilities are endless. This evening we will have a Sea Food and Pineau Tasting – two of the specialties
of the region.
Day Sixteen – Friday 28th June
Another excursion today, this time to the Ile D’Aix. Lunch will be included during the tour.
Day Seventeen – Saturday 29th June
Today we travel to our final campsite of the tour at Ares, located in the north of the Bay of Arcachon. 80
miles
Day Eighteen – Sunday 30th June
It’s Sunday so a leisurely start to the day - we will meet on the campsite terrace for morning coffee and
pastries with the remainder of the day free to relax
Day Nineteen – Monday 1st July
We have a Boat Excursion today around the famous “l’Île Aux Oiseaux” (Bird Island) which is located in the
Bay of Arcachon and is a haven for migratory birds and sea lions and is famous for its "Tchanquées
Cabanes” - lodges built on stilts. Having sailed over 100 hectares of Oyster Beds we arrive at one of the
tiny oyster villages of the Cap Ferret peninsula for lunch in a local restaurant. On our return journey you
will see the amazing spectacle of the Dune de Pilat, the largest sand dune in Europe.
Day Twenty – Tuesday 2nd July
Today we will be taken to the famous Dune de Pilat, where if you have the inclination you will have time to
climb to the top and enjoy the amazing views out over the bay. After our visit to the dune we return to
Arcachon for a short-guided tour of this fascinating town, after which there will be free time for lunch
and/or sightseeing before returning to the campsite later in the afternoon.
Day Twenty-one – Wednesday 3rd July
It is the final day of our tour, it has been left free to afford you time to relax. Later we have a Farewell
Evening including dinner with wine in the Campsite Restaurant.
Day Twenty-two – Thursday 4th July
The tour ends this morning. You may choose to travel on further or if our Tour Directors are returning to
the UK travel back with them at your own expense along a route of their choosing.

PRICE                                                          TOUR DEPOSIT £300

Motorhome with 2 people         = £1,689 per person
Motorhome with 1 person         = £2,099

INCLUDED IN PRICE

   •    19 Campsite nights with hook-up
   •    2 Camping nights on Aire without hook-up
   •    Transport for Excursions/Events where required
   •    Entrance fees on Excursions/Events as per the itinerary
   •    Tour Information Pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
   •    Services of Tour Directors throughout the tour travelling in their own motorhome

   Excursions, Events and Meals

       Welcome Reception
   •    Tour of Benodet on Little Tourist Train
   •    Dinner in Local Restaurant
   •    Boat Cruise on the Odet river, including Lunch
   •    48hr Transport Tickets to the City of Nantes and Les Machines De L’Île
   •    Two Day Pass to ‘Puy du Fou’
   •    ‘Puy du Fou’ dinner and late evening show
   •    “île de Ré” restaurant dinner
   •    Tour Director’s Group Breakfast
   •    Campsite restaurant Dinner
   •    Excursion to Ile D’Oleron with Lunch included
   •    Sea Food and Pineau evening
   •    Coach Excursion to the Ile D’Aix with Lunch
   •    Coffee and Pastries morning
   •    Boat Excursion to l’Île Aux Oiseaux and Cap Ferret, including Lunch
   •    Excursion to Arcachon Bay area including the Dune de Pilat
   •    Farewell Evening Dinner with wine

This tour starts in Benodet, Brittany, but if you would like to travel on the outward journey with the Tour
Directors, please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf

OPTIONAL PACKAGE

   •    Return Dover/Calais Ferry with 60-day Flexible Ticket + Club Class Lounge
   •    3 x additional Campsite Nights starting in Kent on Monday 10th June 2019 followed by 2 x France
   •    Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
   •    Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome

OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people @ £179
Motorhome with 1 person @ £329